Scanners (1981) [2]Positives:
Michael Ironside and the graphic scenes in this film are the only items
worth watching. There is also vague co star Patrick Mcgoohan (whom is
best known for as the Warden in Escape from Alcatraz). The movie is
remembered when it debuted in 1981 and its key scenes featured in the
1984 horror documentary Terror in the Aisles.Negatives: Boring
script spite the cool powers of mental telepathy a few have..But the
powered is used as a weapon rather than learning.

Scream of the Banshee (2011) [3]Positives: A new look or version of Pandora's Box. I also thought the creature's way of attacks reminds you a female FreddyKruegar. The creature reminds me a few puppet type characters (Twilight Zone The Movie) and (Dark Crystal).Negatives:
(Spoiler) Opening scene could have had a better script of why/how
creature ended up in the box although ironically thatis what was shown. Doesn't really explain what time period it occurred although a Knight capture's it.

Sherlock Holmes [3] (2010)Positives: Actors, Characters, ScenesNegatives:
Script was difficult to figure out. But only at the ending as Holmes
explains/diduces to his nemesis Blackwood about everything thru out
movie, then the plotand story can be understood. (I geneously gave
it a 3, not until Holmes explains everything to Blackwood is worthy of
a 3). Also the infamous Holmes theory of reasoning "what ever is left,however unlikely, must be the truth" is never scripted.

The Shining (1980) [2] Positives:
Ok spite the fact it was written by Stephen King, he wrote it and
loosely based it on the infamous haunted Stanley Hotel, yes its a hotel
version of Amityville Horror. Jack Nicholson put on a (interesting)
freaky performance. Shelley Duvall's performance was slow but does turn
into a scream queen. I did not know Stanley Kubrick directed this, that
explains alot (the freaky scenes, aka WTF was that?)Negatives: A
family of 3 become caretakers of a huge hotel during winter time....Why
are there caretakers at all if there is no business. When he is hired,
Jack is informed of family murdered at hotel and goes there with his
own family. I really delayed for years watching this, never understood
the term/phrase The Shining. When its explained what it means, I still
scratched my head (?), strange phrase for something so simple and
similar to medium. I was also interested in the critical acclaim, I
question it now.

Sitter, The (2011) [3.5] Positives:
Script, Scenes. Definitely a remake of 1987's Adventures in Baby
Sitting, just male version. But all casted, did and didnt sell. I was thinking (the late) Chris Farley would have been great for this. Honestly better than the 1987 version. Negatives: Seemed like no major actors, (so/but the script/scenes saved the movie)

Skyfall (2012) [3.5]
Positives:
Characters, Script, Story, Scenes. The story really sold, with what
turns out to be a agent surviving past torture and getting even via
betayal.
Negatives: First half of the movie, seemed to
lead that they would kill Bond off, (let alone be shot and
questioned for active duty) Most of the actors seemed ok for the roles
but them some seemed to be updated (an older Bond? and young actor
to portray "Q". I even questioned actor Daniel Craig (not disrespect).
Skyfall (2012) [3.5]
Positives:
Characters, Script, Story, Scenes. The story really sold, with what
turns out to be a agent surviving past torture and getting even via
betayal.
Negatives: First half of the movie, seemed to
lead that they would kill Bond off, (let alone be shot and
questioned for active duty) Most of the actors seemed ok for the roles
but them some seemed to be updated (an older Bond? and young actor
to portray "Q". I even questioned actor Daniel Craig (not disrespect).

Social Network, The (2010) [3]
- Positives: Hearing and reading about the actual history it seems the
factual history appears to be accurate depending of course what you
believe based on the published story. But the lawsuit scenes are a
definite he said vs he said. Actor choices were apparently good. A line
in the movie I was impressed by (depending an historical accuracy) Mark
Zuckerburg replying to the Winklevoss brothers "If Facebook was really
your idea why didn't you create it?!"
- Negatives: Where do I start. Movie reviews are not supposed to be or
even made personal. But as I say to alot of people why would anyone
listen to a "movie critic" its just an opinion. But this movie hit a
personal nerve/demon in me. I spent/lived and worked for a company that
housed off campus living to UPenn students in Philadelphia. So I
believe I know college students, although I never was one technically
(did briefly attended tech school for less than a year). The image of
college students I saw showed them to be arrogant, know it alls and
pretty succeeding in jamming their foot in doors and in their own
mouths. Ive seen so many college portrayed movies that it seems the
only two goals are "a degree and getting laid".
Note: I only ended up on Facebook because a friend of mine, bullied me
on to it. :)

Source Code [3] (2011)
Positives: Seems like a
remake of Bruce Willis 12 Monkeys and a take on the "repeated script"
episode "Cause and Effect" from Star Trek: TNG. Eventually you cheer
for the hero to fulfill his mission.
Negatives: The chamber
the hero is in is very vague, even in script to character himself. The
title should have been "Guinea Pig is a Corpse" or "Corpse is A Guinea
Pig"

Star Trek: First Contact 1996 [4]
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Plot. An historic question is
answered at practical ending to whom were the first aliens human made
contact with. Simple enough the most popular race. Both James Cromwell
and Marina Sirtis were hysterical in their drinking scene.
Negatives: The background story for going back in time due to Borg
interference was good but seemed cheesy. The 24th century Enterprise
crew literally helping make the first warp flight was without a doubt
cheesy if not literally involved in their own existence. Even in
the last Star Trek series Enterprise their mention vaguely.

Star Trek: Generations 1994 [3.5]
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Plot.
Negatives: The Nexus??? My god, how many times travel episodes did each
series do and this is the best they could come up with??? The title is
also too simple, again.

Star Trek Insurrection 1998 [3.5]
Positives: Script, Scenes. Some scenes with TNG crew experiencing youth
again due to the planet's properties was interesting and funny.
Negatives: This was more like a tv episode than a movie should have
only been that. If it was'nt the TNG crew it may have almost sucked.

Star Trek The Motion Picture 1977 [3.5]
Positives: Actors, Script, Scenes, Special Effects
Negatives: Story was questionable or needed a tad better re-write. The
title of movie is not the point of vague but too simple. Not a big fan
of original tv series and the plot's seems like s 2 hour expanse of a
would be tv episode. This was of course just a reunion of TOS
characters.

Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan 1982 [4]
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Scenes, Special Effects. Ricardo
Montalban was a fantasic antagonist.
Negatives: Not saying the plot was negative because its of course an
enemy character from the TOS returning for revenge, hence the name. So
although the title is cool, it should have been more incognito.
Possibly more damage to the ship would have improved it. Spock's
death although poignant, could have been done better in face make up.

Star Trek III The Search For Spock 1984 [4]
Positives: Characters, Script, Story. Christopher Lloyd did a great
original Klingon as they have always been portrayed as.
Negatives: I can only think it would be copying or they actually did
copy Leonard Nimoy's documentary tv show "In Search of " title. The
plot to bring Spock back 3/4 of the movie of course but the script for
it was vague. Kirstie Alley should have returned as Savvik. Killing of
Kirk's son David should have been a fight but was just as bully vs no
contest.

Star Trek IV The Voyage Home 1986 [4]
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script. Although it was a good story,
plot was so similar to ST: TMP, the scripted awkward ness of the foul
language of mostly Spock and spots by Kirk were comical. Really
funny was when Kirk and crew blocked the harpoon and shut off the
Klingon ship cloak scaring off the whaling ship. There are many great
script rebuttals so the foul language was unnecessary.
Negatives: The attempt to implement foul language due interacting with
people in 1986 was almost stereotypical. A few mistakes can be easily
found. In the outgoing message by President of the UFP says "signals as
almost totally ionized our atmosphere". Spock says "the President did
say the signal was directed at Earth's oceans."

Star Trek V The Final Frontier 1989 [3.5]
Positives: Actors, Scenes and Script just barely.
Negatives: First thing on this list was title. Should have been used
for a final movie rather than a title to probably described the reason
behind the plot. Second, the plot. How many people in reality think and
do this. Searching for God of all things does and cannot be
implemented, scripted, written or even thought into SCIENCE FICTION!
Well then again? It seemed to me almost all actors were out of shape.
Kirk said this "great barrier" was at center of galaxy. How many times
at Star Trek journeyed there probably. Just a lame if not poor script,
plot. Worst of Kirk area movies. What was with the apparent nude scene
for Nichelle Nichols??

Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country 1991 [4]
Positives: Actors, Characters, Script, Plot. Although Star Trek TNG's
episode Yesterday Enterprise explains how the Klingon peace treaty came
to be. So this movie is what would be considered the preliminaries to a
truce.
Negatives: The Klingon prison did seem to much like their type. Add on
the fact I thought Klingon's don't take prisoners, they kill their
enemies. Although the title was explained in pre-post production
statements, still didn't seem like Star Trek language. Spock's rebuttal
with Kirk "only Nixon could go to China" was questionable. The famous
and historical phrase explains how Nixon would help bring a conclusion
to the Vietnam War but this movie Humans-Klingons were referred as the
cold war between US-Russian.

Star Wars (Episode IV A New Hope) 1977 [3.5]
(Notes: If film work like this did'nt exist to the level it was
released back in 1977 I probably would be illuminated as I would be in
a 2011 stadium style theater. So I have to admit watching it thousands
of times on television killed it's image of being original. I think I
saw it on television even before video since my first theater movie was
until at least 1984-1986)
Positives: Characters, script, story, special effects.
Negatives: Kill scenes a bit to graphic for even science fiction. As
comical and enjoyable as everyone would find C-3PO I found his, lack of
better word, naiveness or constant wary annoying as most found Jar Jar
Binks was in Episode I.

Star Wars (Episode I The Phantom Menace) 1999 [4]
Positives: Story, characters, script. Pod Race was great. (Note: As
most found the character Jar Jar Binks annoying I though he was
funny/enjoyable)
Negatives: The title; should have been just "The Beginning". As much as
I liked Jar Jar his people needed a little more work on CGI art. The
character-friendship between Anakin and Padme seemed ok as friends, it
was difficult to picture them having a relationship-future in this
movie.

Star Wars (Episode II Attack of the Clones) 2002 [3.5]
Positives: (It's very much impossible to say any other way, but exclude
the love story; all aspects of film were fine).
Negatives: The love story begins for Anakin and Padme, and as much as
it was needed it dragged it (since Im not a super fan of romance
movies). And it would not have worked if Anakin had'nt sprouted to
about 6'5. Padme's script even kept telling him she was not comfortable
reminding him she remembers him as a child.

Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith 2005 [3.5]
Positives: Story, characters, special effects. The battle between Yoda
and the Emperor was fantastic, it was a representation of God vs The
Devil. The birth of Darth Vader was long awaited movie moment
(interesting they even brought back James Earl Jones for the voice).
Negatives: The light saber battle between Anakin and Obi-Wan reminded
me as Lord of the Rings, way too long. However it was fast and furious.
Movie really sowed up loose ends quickly. Anakin's turn which although
dragged from his, Episode II's, frustrated attitude and impatience
turned into what seemed as he were drugged addicted by Senator
Palpatine. The choice to just turn and attack everyone insight could be
viewed as a serial killer's mind. If the Wookies were scripted why
was'nt the Han Solo character added as a cameo.

The Smurfs (2011) [3](Notes: I noticed bad reviews online for this, but Im a fan of
the original cartoon so I had to see it. Not bad at all)
Positives: Actors,
Characters, Script, Story. Very good job of character on The Smurfs
based on the original cartoons. Hank Azaria did a great Gargamel.
Negatives: Only that a
few Smurf character names were changed. Needed a far more negative and
rough voice for Grouchy.

Super 8 (2011) [3.5]
Positives: Great script,
story, scenes, actors. It was Close Encounters of the Third Kind meets
Cloverfield! Lot of scenes were shocking,
edge of your seat, OMG, What the moments! (Note: Probably will purchase
DVD)
Negatives: Like
Cloverfield the "thing/creature" was vaguely shown, but even thru put
movie an outline of body was shown and full face I guess?

Tammy (2014) [4 ****]Positives:
Melissa McCarthy is always AWESOME! Movie was written and produced by
Melissa and her real husband Ben. Basically this movie is anything and
everything that can go wrong will go wrong but family is always there.
Restaurant scene when she is fired is F AWESOME! Wish I did that at
Olive Garden. Negatives: Why does she always seem to portray a
piece of trash in movies but wonderful character in Mike and Molly tv
show. Now I am not slamming people who look like that, but most of her
movies characters are the same.

Task. The [3] (2011)
Positives: A definitely ironic script when it came to character choice
as apart of the script. (I dont mean casting). Prison was good size,
good set decor. A seemingly interesting view of how a reality show is
produced and ironic twist in story/script.
Negatives: Like most non majors, possibly a major actor or plural was
needed. And even final destination kills shots would have helped also.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014) [3]Positives:
Megan Fox was a decent April O'Neill (nothing over sexed about her like
in Transformers). The turtle origin story (SPOILER ALERT) involving
April did really work, very interesting. Shredder honestly looked cool,
like a human wearing a Megatron outfit. The vague ending with Shedder
probably says TMNT 2. Negatives: (SPOILER ALERTS) The turtles were
way too large or tall in size. Very few few comical teenage elements
that both cartoon and 1990 trilogy had that made them really enjoyable.
I believe the movie as most superhero movies based on original comics.
Its been said the original issues of TMNT comics made them out more
serious but the cartoon made them enjoyable for kids. Thats why the
1990 trilogy was successful. This 2014 version made them FAR too
serious, with very few comic lines and their famous surfer reference
jokes.

Texas Chainsaw Massacure 3D (2013) [3]
Positives: It is
announced as direct sequal for 1974 version although there
was 1986 Part 2. However it seems to take place almost
immediately after the girl escapes in pick up truck in 1974 version.
Actor Gunner Hansen who played original Leatherface (Bubba Swayer) has
cameo as a relative of Swayer family when police confront them, his
white beard is really noticable. Although same good gory material, not
enough teen victims.
(SPOILER): When typical
girl survivor, discovers she is relative is Swayer family, she turns
and help Leatherface, her script line to him WAS SO FUNNY I WILL
REMEMBER IT FOREVER and you will actually cheer as Leatherface gets
even with town posse. Dif type of ending were used to but not bad.
Leatherface shows her a sealed letter which reveals more family history
but ironically shocking is her grandmother; is played by actress Maryln
Burns the survivor in 1974.
Negatives: Although good
gory material not enough teen victims. May it was me but his make up
job and possibly body size is not as great in original TCM's. Also, Ive
notice this in films in the past 10 yrs...ENOUGH WITH the TOOTHPICK
ANOREXIC actresses.

Theory of Everything, The (2014) [3]Positives:
Other than knowing his name/fame (Stephen Hawking) of being a
Physicists, author and science genius I knew nothing of his personal
life or what happened to him physically. Interesting view how he met
both wives, his children, college. And when he recieves the computer
that speaks for him. Negatives: I did not know it was ALS a major
form muscular dystrophy that crippled him...Its VERY DIFFICULT to watch
him be crippled and upset the fact no one could understand him at times
which really hinders his theories and knowledge of the universe.

Thing, The [2] (2011)Positives:
Uh boy, a few elements of the 1982 version of tacked in. A stand out
scene in the 1982 version, the spider human head, was remade into a
full body (talk about a rip off).I won't say I hated it but since I
was a big fan of 1982 Kurt Russell version I had to check it out. There
were two new never before done elmemts: that the creature could not
remake non bio parts like teeth fillings and the crew entered the spacecraft, Negatives:
Remember, if you ever did or watched, a copy of a copy of vhs tape,
same here. Its a definite attempt to combine the 1951 and 1982
versions. Kinda of a lame ending. How many others have reached a second remake (1951, 1982, 2011)

Thor [3] (2011)
Positives: Actors, Story. I honestly was never a fan of
apparent comic or cartoon version. I know there is historical
references that he was a Norse god. I have yet to read on the
comic/cartoon character to see how well the movie was accurately based.
I was actually impressed.
Negatives: Like I said I don't know the character history
enough but according to the movie he had a brother name Loki who is
historically known as god of mischief which is not referenced at all
like that.

Titanic 1997 [3.5]
Positives: Actors, Plot, Script, Historical Scenes
Negatives: Most notably the love story although it did work apparently.
Although much was done on historic records, interviews and
anatomy/video of wreckage, a few scenes were either admitted to be a
tad exaggerated or later discovered possibly inaccurate.

Total Recall (2011) [2]Postives:
Character and storied references from the 1990 (AS) version. A few CGI
scenes. There is a cameo from a actress who passes a security check
point, which in 1990 version, Arnold is dressed as a woman which her
head seperates "get ready for a surprise" and she reprieses her
scripted first line "2 weeks". However, nothing unsual happens but you
do remember her face, but she seemed to slim down. Negatives:
Where do I start, actors, reworked script which didnt work. 1990
version was very violent but it worked. Too much CGI, sometimes if
work, this was too cheesy.

Toy Story 3 (2010) [3.5]
- Positives: Yes an anticipated animated sequel. Except for a few
missing characters and voices from the first two it was still pretty
good. It's final scenes are lines are emotional but it's call growing
up and letting go. I am being generous giving it a 3.5, the animation
and actor voices and being apart of the Toy Story saga is what saves it.
- Negatives: The storied backgrounds needed different ideas. If they
were deliberately taken to a day care center would make sense. The
apparently bad characters that ruled the day care center, didn't sell.
Looking back at Toy Story 2, the bear was a rip on The Prospector's
story. Also the story's time lime, having him jump from boy to getting
ready for college is one heck of a jump for a sequel. They should have
continued thru an animated tv series like Star Wars Clone Wars did.

Transformers (2007) [3.5]
Positives: Thank god, Peter Cullen voiced Optimus Prime, other wise its
doubtful this movie would have worked. Action scenes, script, Shia
LaBeouf was ok for Sam.
Negatives: Before I learned the Transformers themselves were CGI, I
believed they were actually for real, animatronics (I described as a
"starving artist put together model"). I've also said many times
"sex" doesn't sell with me in movies and television (not needed) so
neither did Megan Fox. Movie would have truly sold using original G1
cartoon voice actors. Megatron killing Jazz so easy sucked but it was
placed to sell Megatron's brutality.

Transformers: Age of Extinction [2**] (2014) (slight spoilers)Positives:
(Hmmm) Optimus Prime first seen (old/rusted) in his G1 cartoon form
with flat front rather than snout nose engine. Bumble Bee at least
later in film goes from black to yellow. There were a few other
autobots that seemed human like faces. Ok, the Dinobots, don't appear
till almost end but their discovery had more story than their
involvement. Megatron into Galvatron story does seem plausible and
Frank Welker sold the voice spite him being Megatron's voice as well as
human creating Transformers was interesting. As for story, a post
battle hatred of humans for Transformers had a 9/11 or Pearl Harbor
foreign essence.. Mark Walhberg's replacement of Shia Labeouf...I guess.Negatives:
Movie takes place 4 years after DOTM, should have started for flash
backs with humans (or government turning against autobots) that would
have DEFINITELY helped plot/story not just take a few words or autobot
reactions to humans. The word or term Decepticons I dont think was said
or used so those opposite or attacking, it was a directional rip on G1
Five Faces of Darkness. Again, too long. If Optimus Prime and other
autobots are angry with humans, why dont they leave Earth. So except
for elements, this reminds me of Star Trek Nemesis, it sucked. Yes this
time I wil fully agree Michael Bay was or is more obsessed with
explosions than telling a story.

Transformers:
Dark of the Moon (2011) [3] (Notes: That's
being generous, should give it a 2)
- Positives: Nasa Story,
Many G1 Cartoon references. Director Michael Bay always delivers with
great CGI, Action and Explosions.
Cameo by legendary astronaut
Buzz Aldrin. A few new Transformer appearances such as Shockwave,
Laserbeak,
apparently Unicron and others.
Favorite scene in film in film is Rose Huntington-Whiteley's Carly with
a verbal spot with Megatron, was totally awesome!
- Negatives:First,
Sam's problem & reason for finding a job was stretched ridiculously
long and more an insult to the character.
Second, I'm honestly not a fan of sex in movie or television (and thats
just the view of young females in short dresses). Rose
Huntington-Whiteley was
just a blond usage for the G1 character Carly. Even Megan Fox had
better action scenes again was not a fan of her sexual matter in
previous two.
Third, Sentinel Prime's heel turn totally unexpected, my mouth dropped
in shock. Fourth, Optimus Prime taking out main Decepticons by himself
was
scripted selfishly. Fifth, if Buzz Aldrin had a minute + cameo, movie
should have had Donald Trump spotted for 5+ seconds running out of
Trump Tower
in Chicago scenes. Sixth, a little overboard with Decepticons take over
and rampage of Chicago, it looked like something out of a Terminator
movie.
And last, movie way too long, 2 and half hours.
(Notes: My friend Mark and I agree movie's end's too abruptly but
it seemed as a probable trilogy finale)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen [3.5] (2009)
Positives: Great start to finish script, scenes, more Transformer
characters and following more on G1 cartoon story lines.
Negatives: As mentioned in first Transformers review, Im not of fan of
female characters used almost primary for gf but name as movie in
history that does'nt. As much as they brought/shoved in the story/scene
of Optimus being killed (it was more a prison gang up than the 1986
version of a one on one leader vs leader fight), so it was horrible to
watch.

Tron [3.5] 1982
Postives: For the era of computer graphics, it was awesome. Great
story. Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner and David Warner were great
casting.
Negatives: The other actors were fair. However the computer graphics
seemed too grayish almost black and white.

Tron: Legacy [3] 2010
Positives: Fair story as a sequaled follow up with the son looking for
his father and much reference from the first as well scene elements.
Negatives: Background scenes were more dark, horror like even. The
scripted story of what happened to the father, characters and "the
grid" since the son growing up was kinda vague somewhat difficult to
understand. Climax at ending fair could needed better scripting or
alternate ending.

12 Years a Slave (2013) [3]Positives:
One of few based on true story movies which is nearly 100% accurate
(thats why this won for film of the year and cant see how Argo won in
2012 spite being a true story it was highly fictionalized). If you've
seen or remember ROOTS this is a movie version where ROOTS was
television based. Very graphic and seems all real names were kept. Negatives:
Its unfortunate that what ever happened to Solomon after his rescue and
death are a mystery. Spite Brad Pitt is the abolitionist, why would a
slave/plantation owner have or allow him to work on his property? There
are only a few scenes apparently fictional (but nothing significant to
damage or make story/movie look good like Argo did). Very graphic like
ROOTS what slavery was like, difficult to watch at times. Also ROOTS is
known for its constant usage of the "N" word toward slaves, not even
near the same amount used in this movie.

Twilight Saga (2011) [Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse] [3]Positives:
A different plot of which discovering and hiding for Vampires.
Ironically the character Edward does not want to attackor turn Ella into a vampire but protects her. Negatives: I have never accepted or like vampire movies/characters due to Hollywood's past creating, exaggerating, and if notamplifying
vampire history. And of course Im not fan of love stories. But had
finally watch these due to their overboard popularity.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (2011) [3]Comments: I could both ways positive/negative when it comes to even spoiling the story and ending. Major Spoiler Alert: First 20 minutes are for those who enjoys weddings. But when a strange pregnancy threatensBella's life, all know and say the baby will cause her death but takes Edward to change her over to save her (I'd call that a good script). The final shot of movie is what she always wanted.

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (2012) [3.5]
Positives: Actors,
Characters, Script. As much as I always promoted Im not into love
stories, this was more the protection of a child. And should
nomimated for picture of the year. Bella's vampire education was very interesting.
Negatives:
As always Im not a love story fan. The final battle should have been a
larger group versus the valtouri, although what the battle is
actually revealed as, both a let down and relief.

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010) [3]
- Positives: Since I absolutely loved the first in 1987, a sequel would
be intriguing. When I read Charlie Sheen would have a cameo (I said a
line from Superman II, "man this is gonna be good!"). Michael Douglas
sold great just - as he did in the first movie.
- Negatives: I was impatient so I read about the movie before watching
it, and was surprised by a few things. His very young son Rudy had
committed suicide(OMG!) and where did this daughter Winnie come from?
Charlie Sheen would only have a cameo and what he says in a brief
confrontation with Gecco turns out to be hypocritical. It's probably
the updated look of media, internet and the financial world I don't
care to hear or see now, didn't push/sell this to something I'd wanna
see again.

Wild Bunch, The (1969) [2]Positives:
Clips and most other reviews said this was considered "Bloody Sam"
Peckinpah's best film. Funny, yeah the characters if not even the
actors probably represent the director in real life. Peckinpah's
biography is titled "If they move, killem" which is the very much the
first line delivered in the film. Cannot and refused to be controlled
by rules & laws, like Peckinpah is known for just for making a
film. The actors did fit this movie for sure. Finale is definitely,
probably what is called "going out in a blaze of glory". One thing that
Ive picked up on, being the fourth Peckinpah film to watch, one
constantly used song "Gather by the River". Negatives:
Critics....I think they choose characters over story. Because I was
confused if not really unsure of the story. It was kinda difficult what
to give this one, 2: Needed Improvement or 3: Watch Once. Again for the
fourth time and probably going to be a repetitive theme for me is Im
not a fan of westerns but trying be a Peckinpah fan. God, did this one
drag trying to understand a story or plot. It was easy to figure out
the time period, when and where but not really what was going on or
what anyone was thinking to do.

Wizard of Oz, The [3]
(1939) (Notes: Just watched recently released 2 disc special edition)
Positives: But listening
to interviews/docs of TWOZ author, making of and
commentary it put the movie in a better and more respectful light.
Negatives: Due to, like
Star Wars, tv/cable have played it a million times and ruined its
image.

War Horse (2011) [3.5] Positives: Script, Scenes, Story, Direction, Surprising impressed at this
epic. I compared it to 1990 movie Chips
the War Dog. Was amazing how many times horse changed owners.Ton
of WWI scenes. You learn alot of the nationalities,
living conditions, ventures during the war didnt know much about during
WWI.Negatives: A few things seemed fiction. When a horse is typical hurt/injured
it's usually put down...In reality it would have been put down,
respectively several moments in the movie.

The Warriors, The (1979) [3.5]Positives:
Kept hearing about this, lots of critical acclaim. Interesting opening
and seems to attempt accuracy of the rough nite life of NYC's boroughs
with street gangs and their turfs. How the gangs all met together was
amazing. Each gang had interesting attire and style. Few strange
moments were a few gangs The Warriors did have fights with, couldnt
fight at all (except the Union street gang). The girl gang was
surprising. The one was who responsible for the shooting, is most
memorable for his improvised verbal challenge "Warriors, come out and
playe-ya" while clapping bottles.Negatives: Why did ALL the gangs
just accept the word of someone yelling the warriors did the shooting
with zero evidence or site of (although this is resolved later in the
movie). The ending is a bit dull but from a gang point of view
respectful.

We Bought a Zoo (2011) [3]Positives:
A few things were changed but based on a true story. Talk about "sorta"
being suckered into buying property. Casting, Scenes, Animals, Story.
Seems like a real look at what is takes to operate a zoo.Negatives:
Almost any and every true story gets change, which I really hate. There
is a supposed early teen love plot which doesn't work unless both sides
are into it.

We
Need To Talk About Kevin (2011) [3] Positives: Actors, Script, Plot. Negatives: Even more concern is the movie give's someone new ways to secure
a bldg for an attack. I thought of Dhamer, Manson, Damien but they
were obvious, explainable problems. This kid had an original hate for
life, for almost no reason. The word sociopath was in the reviews.

Wrath of the Titans (2012) [3.5]Postives:
Actors, Characters, Story, Scenes. This is a sequal for the remake of
Clash of the Titans, but this sequal would have sold better for the
original 1981. Negatives: Because the 2010 remake ends with
Percesus and Andromeda not marrying, so Wrath follows up with Perseus
with a child thats not Andromeda's, which does'nt really help.
Although CGI works for creaturesonly looks fair for gods. The climax of gods vs gods goes to easy and should have been more aggresive or complicated.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) [4 stars!]Positives:
I tried watching the cartoon version it was dull...Then read wikipedia
of comic version, movie version and cartoon version. Scripting, Special
Effects and just the changes to modernize this version REALLY SOLD.
(Spoiler) The explanation that Magneto was accused of in assassination
of JFK seem more plausible in real life than even just the movie. But
this has nothing to do with full story so thats not really a spoiler)Negatives:
Each version, comic, cartoon and movie I think is scripted with a
different mutant that caused/lead to different future which both hurts
and helps. President Nixon's involvement in this version of X-Men Days
of Future Past make him look like he was good president, I guess this
was before Watergate. The scenes that go from past and future looked
oblique/confusing.

X-Men First Class(2011) [3]
- Positives: Fairly
interesting story to a movie version of their beginning. Good special
effects. Hugh Jackman has
stunning cameo,
and awesome reply to both Charles and Erik, probably favorite scene in
movie.
- Negatives: Opening of
movie, you were not sure if you were watching X-Men 2000 release, but
story was understandable.
A few notable characters were or became obvious but some if not most
never heard of them. I thought according to comic books, especially the
front
cover of Uncanny X-Men #1 Storm and Cyclops were the First Class. Although my friend Mark noticed as
they used Cerebro to search out young
mutants for the first time, I missed a young Storm. Knowing somewhat of
their origins via cartoons/comics, at least movie did show them but a
few things
were either strange, unexpected or didn't work. The naming of most of
characters is weak due scripting giving it to one person.
How sides are drawn between Professor X and his students, Magneto and
the Evil Brotherhood is also weak.

Yogi Bear [3] (2010)
Positives: Actors,
Script, CGI, Scenes. While I watched I didn't realize Dan Akroyd voiced
Yogi, which maybe was 80% close to original cartoon. Justin Timberlake
voiced Boo Boo, which was perfect from original.
Negatives: Story not
straight. Jellystone Park, although obviously ficitional, based on its
size I would assume is a national park so could not be sold by greedy
mayor for development. Most cartoons/CGI voiced characters is one thing
but there was no question by humans that about a talking bear/animal

Zero Dark Thirty (2012) [3]
Positives: Apparently is
the CIA, several years searching and torchering Al Qaeda suspects,
discovery and special forces execution of Osama Bin Laden. Reading
history and reviews it seems to be TOO accurate that it put those
involved lives at stake in real life. Movie was well over 2 1/2 hours
long. Some very shocking moments with Al Qaeda surprise attacks. The
special forces assault on Bin Laden's compound is what really sells the
film.
Negatives: Although Im a
history buff, first part of film focusing on torchering suspects and
search for Bin Laden does almost hang on being boring. (SPOILER),
Osama Bin Laden's execution is incredibly vague, and accoring to
interviews else where on the internet he was called out by name but
since the bldg/rooms were VERY DARK he is practically unseen.

The Zoo Keeper (2011) [3: Worth
Watching Once]
Positives:
Positives: Stallone and Cher sold as the lions
Negatives: Negatives: A
tad bit better selection of character voices...The actor for zookeeper
was fair. The gold digging gf part was scripted too much
(she dumps him them comes back for him yrs later that makes sense)